By KATHERINE ROSENBERG, Staff Writer

LUCERNE VALLEY - A crowd of more than 200 friends and family members could barely contain their excitement Thursday night waiting for Lucerne Valley High School’s 60-student-strong senior class to graduate.

The commencement ceremony kicked off with graduating senior Mark French playing an electric-guitar version of the Star Spangled Banner, which only served to amp up the crowd even more.

Principal Dr. Mike Murphy set the tone of the evening as one of reflection and reverence, telling the students to take in all the memories they can, on this, the capstone of their high-school careers.

“As you leave here tonight, take a last lingering look at this campus, where so much of your life has been shaped,” Murphy told the anticipatory students.

He also spoke of the accomplishments of past Mustangs as a means of reminding the outgoing seniors that they are part of something bigger — a family of alumni hailing from the small, close-knit town.

“This is your legacy, your heritage. They were Mustangs,” Murphy said.

Honorary Salutatorian Marc Garcia Hervas, a visiting exchange student from Spain, delivered his address, which focused on the sense of community and volunteerism that the town is so well known for.

“I am now more respectful and more embracing of new ideas and I think I owe that to you. I appreciate your ready understanding of my views and culture and also for teaching me yours,” he told his classmates.

As Valedictorian, Jared Nefferdorf gave a speech full of thanks to all those who helped to shape the person he has become. With plans to attend Montana State in the fall to become an Agriculture Sciences teacher, Nefferdorf made special mention of Troy Van Bavel, the Agriculture teacher at LVHS who meant so much to him.

Nefferdorf also summed up what so many of the graduates were feeling, that combination of sadness and excitement.

“High school has been a wonderful experience, and I can’t wait for what’s in store for me next,” he said.